JHHY vs SPY
John Hancock High Yield ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Quick Verdict
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY delivered stronger 1-year returns. JHHY offers more diversification with 566 holdings.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | JHHY | SPY | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.52% | 0.09% | |
| AUM | $96M | $821.1B | |
| Dividend Yield | 7.02% | 1.01% | |
| Holdings | 566 | 505 | |
| YTD Return | +2.49% | +12.35% | |
| 1Y Return | +5.20% | +20.15% | |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.69% | |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +12.77% | |
| Volatility (annualized) | 3.3% | 15.3% | |
| Max Drawdown | -5.0% | -56.5% | |
| Fund Family | John Hancock Investment Management | State Street Investment Management | |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity | |
| Inception | May 1, 2024 | Jan 22, 1993 |
JHHY vs SPY Performance
John Hancock High Yield ETF (JHHY) is a ETF from John Hancock Investment Management and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is a ETF from State Street Investment Management. Over the past year JHHY returned +5.20% while SPY returned +20.15%. Year to date, JHHY is up 2.49% versus a gain of 12.35% for SPY.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
SPY has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 15.3% compared with 3.3% for JHHY. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -5.0% for JHHY and -56.5% for SPY. Drawdown depth is worth weighing if you expect to sell during market stress rather than ride it out.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
JHHY charges 0.52% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $52 vs $9 annually, a gap of $43 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JHHY currently yields 7.02% against 1.01% for SPY.
Holdings Overlap
JHHY and SPY share 1 holdings out of 899 unique holdings combined, representing a 0.3% weight overlap.
Moderate overlap means holding both could provide meaningful diversification benefits.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in JHHY | Weight in SPY | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.51% | 0.35% | 0.16% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, JHHY or SPY?
JHHY has an expense ratio of 0.52% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option. On a $10,000 investment, that is $43 per year of difference.
Which performed better, JHHY or SPY?
Over the past year JHHY returned +5.20% vs +20.15% for SPY, so SPY leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), JHHY annualized +8.07% vs +8.79% for SPY. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Which is riskier, JHHY or SPY?
SPY has been the more volatile fund at 15.3% annualized versus 3.3% for JHHY. Worst drawdown: JHHY -5.0% vs SPY -56.5%.
Should I hold both JHHY and SPY?
JHHY and SPY have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, so combining them can provide real diversification depending on your allocation goals.
What is the holdings overlap between JHHY and SPY?
JHHY and SPY share 1 common holdings with a 0.3% weight overlap. Combined, they hold 899 unique securities.
Which pays a higher dividend, JHHY or SPY?
JHHY yields 7.02% while SPY yields 1.01%, so JHHY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
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